There are two types of firmware memory chips that are downgradable, dual NAND, and single NOR. Every fat system model number CECHAxx through CECHGxx use NAND chips, and the other downgradable systems use NOR chips. You can find the model number on the sticker on the back of your system., it should begin in CECH.

There is a more detailed list on the PS3 developer wiki, look at the downgradable min praxis column that corresponds to your model number. In general all fat systems are downgradable, while most slims are, and no super slims are.

Because 3.55 was the last exploitable system firmware version, all installation methods involve downgrading to 3.55 through flashing the firmware memory chip on the motherboard. To install custom firmware your PS3 needs to be downgradable to firmware version 3.55. I personally installed custom firmware primarily to be able to view system temperatures, so that I could mod my CECHA01 to run cooler, and to be able to play backups of my games. There are many more uses, those are just a few.

Viewing system temperatures, and manually controlling fan speed.

Playing PS2 games through software emulation on non backwards compatible consoles.

Backing up game discs onto the hard drive, and playing them without the disc.

Systems run newer firmware either through the factory, or through official system updates.Ĭustom firmware allows running homebrew software, allowing the PS3 to do much more than originally intended. The majority of PS3 consoles are running firmware versions newer than 3.55, which doesn’t have the same encryption problem. In this version Sony messed up the encryption system which allowed the PS3 hacking community to create custom firmware updates that could be installed, also called custom firmware or CFW. Sony released firmware version 3.55 for the PS3 in late 2010. What is custom firmware, and what it’s used forīefore I begin I’d like to provide some background information. Update: I have written another post going into more detail on custom firmware installation using a Teensy on a CECH-2001A PS3 slim. This post describes my experiences during PS3 custom firmware installation on my fat CECHA01 console, and my brother’s slim CECH-2101A console. Installing custom firmware onto my PS3 was one of my goals I mentioned in my project introduction post.

Ps3 slim custom firmware